and of people from parts of Syria and the shores of the Mediterranean bringing to him gifts consisting of the choicest products of their lands, which Rechmårā receives for Thothmes III. The countries can in many cases be identified by means of the articles depicted. The scenes in the inner chamber represent brickmaking, ropemaking, smiths' and masons' work, etc., etc., superintended by Rechmȧrā, prefect of Thebes; elsewhere are domestic scenes and a representation of Rechmára sailing in a boat, lists of offerings, etc.

*

The most ancient necropolis at Thebes is Drah abu'l Nekkah, where tombs of the XIth, XVIIth, and XVIIIth dynasties are to be found. The coffins of the Antef kings (XIth dynasty), now in the Louvre and the British Museum, were discovered here, and here was made the marvellous "find" of the jewellery of Ah-ḥetep, wife of Kames, a king of the XVIIth dynasty, about B.C. 1750. A little more to the south is the necropolis of Assassif, where during the XIXth, XXIInd, and XXVIth dynasties many beautiful tombs were constructed. If the visitor has time, an attempt should be made to see the fine tomb of Peṭā-Åmen-ȧpt.

ARMANT (ERMENT).

Armant, or Erment, 458 miles from Cairo, on the west bank of the river, was called in Egyptian Menth,

and

୪

Annu qemāt," Heliopolis of the South";

it marks the site of the ancient Hermonthis, where, according to Strabo, "Apollo and Jupiter are both worshipped."

The ruins which remain there belong to the Iseion built 'during the reign of the last Cleopatra (B.C. 51-29). The stone-lined tank which lies near this building was probably used as a Nilometer.

* Now preserved at Gizeh.

ESNEH.

Esneh, or Asneh, 484 miles from Cairo, on the west bank of the river, was called in Egyptian Senet; it

marks the site of the ancient Latopolis, and was so called by the Greeks, because its inhabitants worshipped the Latus fish. Thothmes III. founded a temple here, but the interesting building which now stands almost in the middle of the modern town is of late date, and bears the names of several of the Roman emperors. The portico is supported by twenty-four columns, each of which is inscribed; their capitals are handsome. The Zodiac here, like that at Denderah, belongs to a late period, but is interesting.

EL-KÂB.

୪

El-Kâb, 502 miles from Cairo, on the east bank of the river, was called in Egyptian Necheb; it marks the site of the ancient Eileithyias. There was a city here in very ancient days, and ruins of temples built by Thothmes IV., Amenḥetep III., Seti I., Rameses II., Rameses III., Ptolemy IX. Euergetes II. are still visible. A little distance from the town, in the mountain, is the tomb of Aḥmes (Amāsis), the son of Abana, an officer born in the reign of Seqenen Ra, who fought against the Hyksos, and who served under Amāsis I., Amenophis I., and Thothmes I. The inscription on the walls of his tomb gives an account of the campaign against some Mesopota mian enemies of Egypt and of the siege of their city. Amasis was the "Captain-General of Sailors." The tomb of his daughter's son Pahir lies just above his.

UṬFÛ (EDFÛ).

Edfû, 515 miles from Cairo, on the west bank of the river was called in Egyptian Beḥutet, and in Coptic &TW; it was called by the Greeks Apollino

polis Magna, where the crocodile and its worshippers were detested. The Temple of Edfû, for which alone both the ancient and modern towns were famous, occupied 180 years three months and fourteen days, that is to say it was begun during the reign of Ptolemy Euergetes I., B.C. 237, and finished B.C. 57, It resembles that ot Denderah in many respects, but its complete condition marks it out as one of the most remarkable buildings in Egypt, and its splendid towers, about 112 feet high, make its general magnificence very striking. The space enclosed by the walls measures 450 X 120 feet; the front of the propylon from side to side measures about 252 feet. Passing through the door the visitor enters a court, around three sides of which runs a gallery supported on thirty-two pillars. The first and second halls, A, B, have eighteen and twelve pillars respectively; passing through chambers C and D, the shrine E is reached, where stood a granite naos in which a figure of Horus, to whom the temple is dedicated, was preserved. This naos was made by Nectanebus I., a king of the XXXth dynasty, B.C. 378.

The pylons are covered with battle scenes, and the walls are inscribed with the names and sizes of the various chambers in the building, lists of names of places, etc.; the name of the architect, I-em-ḥetep, or Imouthis, has also been inscribed. From the south side of the pylons, and from a small chamber on each side of the chamber C, staircases ascended to the roof.

The credit of clearing out the temple of Edfû belongs to M. Mariette. Little more than twenty-five years ago the mounds of rubbish outside reached to the top of its walls, and certain parts of the roof were entirely covered over with houses and stables.